Martin had inherited some of his father’s characteristics; Helena had only come to realise this fact as she grew up, although they had got on well when they were small.

‘Anyway,’ she said. ‘We’re all grown up now. We have relationships of our own. And Mum wants another chance of happiness. Is that so wrong?’

‘Yes! I’m not having another man in Dad’s place at home.’

Helena opened her mouth to tell him how ridiculous he was being but remembered again that she was not here to have a row with Martin, she was here to make life happier for her mother. ‘Well, just think about it, Martin. Mum’s a relatively young woman—’

‘She’s a grandmother. She should just concentrate on doing what she does well and not mess about like this. Our family home should be for her family, not for any Tom, Dick or Harry.’

‘William isn’t any of those,’ said Helena in a desperate attempt to stop her brother being so angry.

‘Oh, don’t be ridiculous!’ Martin was shouting now. ‘Why can’t Mum just be a grandmother and stop all this nonsense? She’d have been perfectly happy and fulfilled if she’d agreed to our plan.’

‘OK,’ said Helena quietly. ‘I’m sorry you feel like this but I don’t think I can do anything about it.’

‘How did you get on?’ asked Jago when she got home, handing her a glass of wine.

‘Utter failure. He’s in complete denial about Mum. He thinks she should just be a grandmother and not have a life of her own. So unfair!’ She pulled out a chair at the kitchen table, watching him stir something on the stove.

‘You might feel differently about it when you have children yourself,’ said Jago.

‘You think?’

He nodded. ‘Yup. I think when you’ve got a little one you’ll be forever running over to Gilly with your baby.’ He tasted something and then threw down the spoon. ‘I won’t be able to be around all the time during the day. You’ll need your Mum.’

‘I’m sure I will, but I hope I won’t expect her to sacrifice her entire life for me and my babies.’

Jago smiled in a way Helena thought was distinctly soppy. ‘You want to have lots of babies?’

She was feeling fairly soppy herself just then. ‘Think so. I’d see how it went after the first.’

‘So we’d better get a move on. Get married. It’s not essential to be married to have children, of course, but I think your mum might prefer it.’

Helena wasn’t sure her mother would particularly care, but she was keen on the getting married idea. She nodded.

‘So, we’d better go ring shopping!’

‘What a good idea!’

‘Would tomorrow be too soon?’ said Jago. ‘Tell me if you feel rushed.’